It's finally OPEN!
The first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the Philippines welcomed its first guests as it opened its doors in Iloilo City last May 1, 2018!
Towering 15-storeys high and shimmering in its almost all-glass facade, Iloilo City's newest hotel has around 326 rooms and suites - all having a great view of the Iloilo Business Park and beyond.
Owned by Megaworld Corporation under Travellers International Hotel Group and managed by Marriott International, the hotel aims to provide guests with an environment that offers smart and energizing choices so that their stay at Courtyard becomes more comfortable, more productive and more enjoyable than ever before!
With its strategic location in the city's emerging business hub and beside the Iloilo Convention Center, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo is set to bring ‘Refreshing Business’ in Iloilo. The hotel is in line with Megaworld's bid to further boost tourism in its various developments across the country.
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| Photo from UrbanScape Philippines |
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| Finally OPEN! |
THE LOBBY
Security is a key and important factor and you'll feel it even as you enter the hotel complex. From the main entrance ramp or the parking at the back portion, they won't leave any detail unattended. The lobby has an x-ray machine for our belongings as well as a full body and detail scanner.
Once inside the lobby, gleaming and carpeted floors welcome guests - whether they check-in, dine, lounge in the cafe or go to their respective conferences. A minimalist interior design gives the lobby a simple yet elegant feel.
On one side is the front office where check ins and check outs come and go. It is sort of tucked in that corner to give guests a feeling of not being intrusively watched.
THE COURTYARD
On the other side is The Courtyard - the lobby lounge where you can have your coffee fill or sandwich fix. It is also a perfect place to drink the night away with their range of cocktails and mixed drinks.
With all the comfort and sophistication The Courtyard brings, in no time at this will become Iloilo's "the place to see and seen"!
RUNWAY KITCHEN
But if you prefer a rather filling gastronomic experience, the Runway Kitchen is just around the corner. Runway Kitchen is the all-day dining restaurant serving a la carte as well as buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
What's in a name? As the hotel (and the entire Iloilo Business Park) is built on the former Iloilo Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo pays tribute by naming their main food outlet in such way that their guests would remember a portion of Iloilo's history.
So instead of 747's and A320's on the runway, hungry diners take their turn in landing and taking off to different food terminals scattered around the Runway Kitchen.
Desserts come first! I am always first in line to check-in here. And special mention to those yummy Strawberry Brownies topped with whipped cream and fresh berries - they got a lot of points on my gastronomic mileage.
Love Japanese? This station is for you! Sushi, Maki, Sashimi and those heavenly shrimp tempura! Oh no - they're not in photo (... on purpose actually so I can have them all to myself)
Salads - you can have the prepared ones like the potato and grilled squash or make them on your own at the salad bar!
An open kitchen gives diners a peek on how their food is prepared and they can choose among Ilonggo, Filipino, Asian and Western dishes. The area also hosts the main course and the roast meat section - Lechon and Roast Beef, that time, of the buffets. There's also the Grill , Pasta and Batchoy/Pancit Molo stations which you can have the chefs prepare for you.
There's more to Runway Kitchen than what is featured here. In the meantime, here are the buffet rates at Runway Kitchen
Breakfast
Lunch
- Daily PhP 850
Dinner
- Daily (except Saturdays) PhP 850
- Sunday to Thursday (International Cuisine) - P1,100
- Friday (Fisherman's Catch) - P1,499
- Saturday (Steak Night) - P1,299
CANDY SHOP
You can't bring home the sweets and desserts from the buffet but you can always drop by the Candy Shop. Offering more than candies, you can buy the hotel's signature baked goodies and more for you to indulge in!
Now it's time to burn all the calories off as we tour around and see what more Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo has to offer its guests.
SOUVENIR SHOP
A souvenir shop run by Fiesta Souvenirs provide various Ilonggo pasalubong for guests to bring home. Take your pick from shirts, ref magnets, key-chains and local delicacies. Premium garments and accessories made with hablon (from Miag-ao, Iloilo) and barong made of piña (pineapple) fabric from Aklan are also on sale.
SOUVENIR SHOP
A souvenir shop run by Fiesta Souvenirs provide various Ilonggo pasalubong for guests to bring home. Take your pick from shirts, ref magnets, key-chains and local delicacies. Premium garments and accessories made with hablon (from Miag-ao, Iloilo) and barong made of piña (pineapple) fabric from Aklan are also on sale.
BUSINESS CENTER
The Business Center provides businessmen guests with their office needs (like work stations, printing and fax services) including a secretary. Now that's something...
FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS
There's a function and vents nook that gives guests a preview on what their set-up will look and taste like. Aside from the video presentation, the staff will prepare an actual set-up providing all the necessary materials, furniture and more including food tasting.
Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo has four function rooms named after Iloilo City's districts. They can be individually booked or combined to have a bigger space to accommodate a little more than 200 pax.
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| Hallway along the entrance doors to the different function rooms |
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| Conference-style set-up |
FITNESS AND WELLNESS GYM
On to the second level of the hotel, you will find the gym which is open to all hotels guests and members. State of the art equipment plus the services of gym instructors plus healthy snacks are just among the perks.
On to the second level of the hotel, you will find the gym which is open to all hotels guests and members. State of the art equipment plus the services of gym instructors plus healthy snacks are just among the perks.
Here's quick look of the men's shower area just outside the gym.
And there's a sauna too!
THE POOL
On the same level is the Pool Area which has a 6-foot deep swimming pool, showers, changing rooms, a pool bar & restaurant and an events place for cocktails parties.
On the same level is the Pool Area which has a 6-foot deep swimming pool, showers, changing rooms, a pool bar & restaurant and an events place for cocktails parties.
Care for a dip? Day or night the pool looks inviting - whether for an actual swim or just sitting on the lounge chairs sipping a refreshing drink!
An al fresco bar which will eventually served more than just snacks and drink will be a perfect outdoor destination - but still confined with in the hotel.
A perfect venue to launch you product with a cocktail set-up with guests milling around and socializing. Hmmm... a "preview" of a big event on May 9 perhaps?
One last look at at the calm and blue waters of the pool overlooking the portions of the ICC.
CONCIERGE LOUNGE
High up on the 15th floor is the Concierge Lounge. This exclusive lounge is for guests who made specific room bookings (with lounge access) which entitles them free usage of this exclusive area.
High up on the 15th floor is the Concierge Lounge. This exclusive lounge is for guests who made specific room bookings (with lounge access) which entitles them free usage of this exclusive area.
Guests can advantage of additional benefits like private check-in and check-out, semi-buffet breakfast, all-day drinks (coffee, tea, canned soda and dry snacks), pre-dinner cocktails and canapes, use of meeting room, concierge and business center services - all complimentary.
Talk about exclusivity! All these it come with a view of Guimaras island - too bad I took this photo on a wrong angle.
Talk about exclusivity! All these it come with a view of Guimaras island - too bad I took this photo on a wrong angle.
Down to the 8th floor, it was still the shimmering and carpeted floor that greeted us as we approach the end of this tour. A perfect way to end the tour is to see the rooms and their amenities Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo has to offer.
Despite being almost fully booked for the opening day, we found ourselves a Doubles room to checkout. The 32 sq. meter room is designed for utmost comfort and comes in the hotel's signature lime green motif - refreshing indeed. Next gen travelers would certainly love the high-speed Wifi and cable internet (256Mbps) and 40" full HD LED television.
And like in all Courtyard hotels worldwide, guests can be assured of the top notch quality when staying at Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo. The hotel has imported these mattresses and pillows from the Marriott shop to satisfy each guest in terms of comfort and sleep.
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| How much does each bed cost? Around PhP 200,000! |
With a 50/50 cotton/polyester percale blend and 180 thread-count, the mattress delivers personalized comfort - that is conforming to your body shape and providing even support whether you’re a side, stomach, or back sleeper. Add to that are the luxuriously soft and allergen-free pillows that are designed to support your head and neck all night long. - essential ingredients to ensure you have a restful night's sleep. Zzzzz....
But before you go to sleep, let's check out the other amenities inside the room. A tall cabinet high enough to hang your clothes from top to bottom, robes & slippers, iron and ironing board (behind the robes), various drawers for all your needs and a vault for your valuables.
A wide counter runs from the cabinet side all the way to the windows which can be utilized according your needs.
A wide counter runs from the cabinet side all the way to the windows which can be utilized according your needs.
The toilet and bath flanks the sink with all the amenities one need's to refresh. Fresh towels and toiletries screaming to be used and once you do, just don't forget to close the blinds. Or you will have an unforgettable shower as your roommate watches an unforgettable show!
Here's your roommate's view, just in case.
Refreshed, comfortable and gastronomically fulfilled, what a perfect way to end this virtual tour in and around the first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the Philippines. Only in Iloilo...
Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo
Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao
Iloilo City, Philippines 5000
Contact: +63 (033) 330-7600
Email: reservation.ilocy@courtyard.com
Very Special Thanks to Nico Ivan Velasquez, Marketing & Communications Officer of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo of for facilitating this on-the-spot tour of for the Iloilo Bloggers.
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| Iloilo Bloggers with Nico (leftmost) and the culinary heads of the Runway Kitchen. |
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| All smiles and comfortable. All bloggers big and small! |